Buying 1st Diesel - 2007 F350 Lariet Crew 4x4 SRW - Diesel Forum

ehale3 · 10-31-2009, 08:57 PM

Hey guys! New to this forum...looking at buying my 1st diesel.

On the test drive today, when it was cold start from the dealer lot, the truck smoked LOTS of blue/white smoke.

After warming up, that stopped, but the warming up continued to RED LINE!!

No Bueno!

After returning to the dealer, I popped the hood and noticed the coolant resevoir (located in front of the driver side at the top) appeared to be bone dry.

Dealer is sending it to the service dept to check it all out on Monday and will call me.

Truck appears very clean (looking beyond the dealers detail job) and has 63k miles. has been used to tow a 5th wheel at some point, as the hitch mount is still bolted in the bed. Don't know how much towing though. Accordign to carfax, one owner and Ford Service Center reports only service item has been a leaking hose seal that was fixed 1.5 years ago.

Any thoughts on the smoke? I think that is normal, but wanted to confirm with ya'll.

many thanks!

Gotrox · 10-31-2009, 09:13 PM

No. Thats not normal. Blue or white smoke can only be considered normal if its only a very small amount. I have an 03 and it only smokes a small puff once every 10 or so cold start-ups, no matter what the outside temp is. Thats normal for my truck. LOTS of blue/white smoke is bad for any truck.
I'd walk away and find a different one, it probably won't be worth the hassle that will follow it.

Rccarps2 · 10-31-2009, 09:15 PM

Sounds like a blown headgasket..... Run from the truck unless they will fix it before sale.

They should replace EGR cooler, oil cooler, and head gaskets. If you still are interested in the truck have them put in ARP Studs while the engine is opened up...

FYI my 07 doesnt smoke much at all even when cold..

Good Luck

RC

Strokin' 6.0 · 10-31-2009, 09:44 PM

Walk away quickly. If you're hell bent on buying a Ford, get an OASIS report on the vehicle you're looking at buying, before you get it. I wish I had known about OASIS, before I bought my truck....I'd still have my Dodge CTD.

ehale3 · 11-02-2009, 01:02 PM

appreciate the information, guys. I haven't heard from their service dept. yet, but I did locate another one at another dealer I feel more comfortable with. Thsi one is 2006 F250 lariat, with only 40k miles on it. Seems to be in beter condition as well. Supposed to go see about trade in tonight after work. it had Load Range D tires on it, that were over sized as well...dealer is swapping them out with another truck they have...same 20" wheel package, but has better tires in the correct size and load range.

69cj · 11-02-2009, 02:36 PM

If you can, stick with a truck from a Ford dealer and try to get them to throw in an ESP warranty. Or at least split the cost 50/50. No more than a grand on your end.

Matt0987 · 11-02-2009, 04:41 PM

Today's trucks should only blow black smoke. And that is only under flat out accelleration. My vehicles do when I step on it. But each has a performance chip.

You may get some white smoke for a short while after a fuel filter change as the system is purged of air. But that should not be prolonged. If they tell you that they changed the fuel filters as a reason for the smoke then, if you have the extended warranty, you might not have as big a concern.

I ditto the Extended Warranty. Have them include it. No extra charge. When I walked away from my Ex they called and begged me to come back and buy it. And that was in 03 when sales were "normal". I told them no sale w/out the ESP. It was no big deal. They were enthusiastic to "throw it in".

There is a deductable for it though. $100.00 per incident. Or, something like that.

And check into which one. I believe there are 3. One only covers the engine and drive train. I believe one covers everything like it is a new vehicle.

Check into the start date being from your purchase date. Not the original date of the vehicle's initial delivery date.

Matt0987 · 11-02-2009, 05:03 PM

Oh, and I walked away from the deal when I was in the booth with the financier. Don't think the negotiations are over just because you have agreed to buy the vehicle. The hand shake is only their use of your honesty. Until they have your money and signature you are still in the driver's seat. You have the right to walk away from the agreement until you have signed the documents. You can change your mind at any time. When they have you cornered in the financier's office they can taste the money. The salesperson can feel the commission in his/her hand. In their minds they have already spent it. When you change your mind at that stage of the game they will be willing to give up a $100.00 warranty that they charge you $1500.00 for.

Just like, "Would you like fries with that?" the financier will be trying to get you to buy an upsale. You know.... Like the magazines or chewing gum at the grocery store check out isle. The financier will be trying to pick up an additional sale.

Mine were the extended warranty (or extended service plan) and an equity insurance. An insurance to guarantee the value of the vehicle does not drop below the price you paid for it if you have an accident within the finance period. You know, the truck is wrecked and the insurance company will only give you 80% of what you one on the vehicle.

Admittedly, I was buying a new vehicle. But when they came up with these add on sales I told them that I was not interested in a vehicle that they, as a dealership, did not feel was of the quality that the factory warranty was insufficient to the point that I had to purchase an extended warranty. Or, that the vehicle was of such poor quality that I had to worry about it not being worth what I owed on it.

I then walked away telling them that I was not interested in purchasing such a poor vehicle. I got calls that evening and the next day. They wanted to know what they needed to do to make the sale. I told them they had to include the extended warranty and the equity insurance at no additional cost to me. I suppose, if I had thought a little more about it, I might have gotten a service warranty where they did the routine maintanance for the years I had the vehicle financed.

I got the requested up sales at no additional cost to me and I have been pleased with my Excursion ever since.

Matt0987 · 11-02-2009, 05:09 PM

Go here and check out the warranties and service plans. One may be avaible for you.

https://www.flmowner.com/servlet/Con...OwnerGuidePage

69cj · 11-02-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt0987

Oh, and I walked away from the deal when I was in the booth with the financier. Don't think the negotiations are over just because you have agreed to buy the vehicle. The hand shake is only their use of your honesty. Until they have your money and signature you are still in the driver's seat. You have the right to walk away from the agreement until you have signed the documents. You can change your mind at any time. When they have you cornered in the financier's office they can taste the money. The salesperson can feel the commission in his/her hand. In their minds they have already spent it. When you change your mind at that stage of the game they will be willing to give up a $100.00 warranty that they charge you $1500.00 for.

Just like, "Would you like fries with that?" the financier will be trying to get you to buy an upsale. You know.... Like the magazines or chewing gum at the grocery store check out isle. The financier will be trying to pick up an additional sale.

Mine were the extended warranty (or extended service plan) and an equity insurance. An insurance to guarantee the value of the vehicle does not drop below the price you paid for it if you have an accident within the finance period. You know, the truck is wrecked and the insurance company will only give you 80% of what you one on the vehicle.

Admittedly, I was buying a new vehicle. But when they came up with these add on sales I told them that I was not interested in a vehicle that they, as a dealership, did not feel was of the quality that the factory warranty was insufficient to the point that I had to purchase an extended warranty. Or, that the vehicle was of such poor quality that I had to worry about it not being worth what I owed on it.

I then walked away telling them that I was not interested in purchasing such a poor vehicle. I got calls that evening and the next day. They wanted to know what they needed to do to make the sale. I told them they had to include the extended warranty and the equity insurance at no additional cost to me. I suppose, if I had thought a little more about it, I might have gotten a service warranty where they did the routine maintanance for the years I had the vehicle financed.

I got the requested up sales at no additional cost to me and I have been pleased with my Excursion ever since.

On a new vehicle I think you have to actually drive it off the lot to finalize the deal. When I bought mine I told them I had to take my old truck home and would pick the new one up in the morning. Even tho they were closing the salesman drove my old truck home that night. They made sure I was the one driving the new truck. I think if the salesmen did I could have still backed out when we got to my house.

Matt0987 · 11-02-2009, 06:28 PM

It may depend on the state you live in. Either way, remember, you really are the boss. You have the power. As long as you still have the money. They will let you know when you have gone to far.

Even then, remember, a good salesman never gives up until the 3rd "no". Most buyers do not realize that they should not give up demanding things until the 3rd "no", also.

ehale3 · 11-03-2009, 03:48 PM

Matt,

I appreciate the info. I used to be in the car business and I am well aware of the bullsh** they try to pull. Of course, I don't tell them I was in the car business.

I am still waiting for their service dept. to figure out what's wrong with it. Been there since yesterday morning. I haven't told them anything from my end, that all of you here have suggested, as I want them to identify and correct the problem, they are a Ford dealer.

I plan on hitting them for the ESP once I have made the final decision to buy it. They have made a mistake and showed their cards, by dropping the sale price online yesterday. I now know how much (educated guess) they have in it, and why they are offering so much more for my trade than anybody else in town. I am still getting a fair deal, but that answered some questions. They let me walk the first time around over $700.00, but I still think they have enough to throw in the ESP.

This site is great! A true wealth of information. Thanks to all again!

ehale3 · 11-03-2009, 06:53 PM

OK...They finally decided today that the EGR Valve is toast, which, according to them is why the coolant was dry. They are awaiting FORD approval to make repairs under warranty, supposedly tomorrow.

What say the intelligent masses? Sound legit?

69cj · 11-03-2009, 07:04 PM

I could be wrong but you will lose coolant for a bad egr or oil cooler but not a bad egr valve.

Rccarps2 · 11-03-2009, 11:27 PM

I agree with 69CJ... a "bad" EGR valve doesnt cause coolant loss. They need to replace the EGR cooler, oil cooler, and probably head studs before I would even consider that truck.

RC